Description
Location: Site C, Watchmead, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 1BQ
Working for Sika
Sika is a global leader in specialty chemicals, driving innovation across construction and industrial manufacturing. Within our Industry business, we play a key role in supporting manufacturers - p advanced adhesive, bonding, sealing, and structural solutions used in everything from automotive production to general manufacturing.
Since 1910, Sika has built a reputation as a trusted partner, combining technical expertise with high-performance products to solve real-world challenges. Today, with operations in over 100 countries, our teams work closely with customers to ensure adhesive technologies and materials perform reliably in demanding production environments.
Our Technical Services function sits at the heart of this - testing, validating, and supporting the use of our adhesive technologies in customer applications. Through a combination of laboratory testing, technical knowledge, and close collaboration with customers and internal teams, we help ensure quality, reduce risk, and drive continuous improvement.
At Sika, it’s not just about the products we create - it’s about how we apply them, support our customers, and use technical expertise to make a measurable impact.
To learn more about Sika Technical Services, visit: About Sika Industry
The Package
* Starting salary: £27,500 per year
* Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours per week
* 8:00am - 5:00pm
* 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
* Company pension
What will I be doing as an apprentice?
We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Materials Technician Apprentice to join Sika’s Technical Services team, supporting the testing and evaluation of adhesive technologies and their interaction with different materials used across a wide range of industrial applications.
This apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for a career in materials science and technical services, offering hands-on experience in laboratory testing, real-world manufacturing environments, and the development of practical technical skills within a global business.
Summary of duties:
* Support the day-to-day running of the Technical Services laboratory, assisting with materials testing and report writing
* Carry out testing on adhesive technologies in conjunction with a variety of substrates, following standard procedures to ensure accurate and reliable results
* Help maintain a safe, organised laboratory environment, including equipment calibration and materials management
* Record, monitor, and store test data and samples in line with Sika’s quality and EHS standards
* Develop knowledge of Sika products, adhesive applications, and testing methods through hands-on experience and training
* Assist with technical enquiries and begin to contribute to problem-solving activities as your skills develop
* Work collaboratively with teams across Technical Services, Product Management, and Sales
* Support customer visits and gain insight into how adhesive solutions are applied within real manufacturing processes
* Complete apprenticeship studies alongside practical training, working towards a recognised qualification
* Build the skills and experience needed to progress into a technical or specialist role within Sika
Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
About You
This is a hands-on, practical role within a laboratory environment, so you’ll need to be comfortable getting involved in testing activities and working with a range of materials and equipment.
We’re looking for someone who is methodical and detail-focused, with the ability to follow testing procedures carefully, record accurate results, and spot potential issues or inconsistencies. A curious mindset and willingness to learn will help you understand how materials behave and perform.
You’ll have a strong awareness of health and safety, with the ability to follow laboratory and EHS procedures to ensure a safe working environment at all times.
No two days will be the same, so you’ll need to be adaptable and able to work both independently and as part of a team. Good communication skills are important, as you’ll be working closely with colleagues and contributing to shared tasks and outcomes.
To succeed in this apprenticeship, you’ll bring enthusiasm, a proactive attitude, and a genuine interest in developing your technical skills within a supportive team environment.
Experience
We value attitude, curiosity, and commitment just as much as past experience. While previous experience can be helpful, it’s not essential - we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those with a genuine interest in the field and the motivation to build a career.
You might be a school or college leaver, or someone looking to retrain. Either way, if you’re enthusiastic, proactive, and ready to learn, you’ll fit right in.
Qualifications
It’s about enthusiasm, not school results. In our experience the most successful apprentices are those who are driven to find out more about the sector, can be up front about what they do and don’t already know, are considerate, self-reflective, and impatient to learn the job role!
So how does the apprenticeship work?
Start your career as a materials technician and gain hands-on experience supporting real testing and analysis in a laboratory or technical environment.
As part of this Level 3 Materials Technician apprenticeship, you’ll learn how to carry out tests, analyse data, and contribute to important projects, whether that’s in a laboratory or a more practical, site-based environment.
👉 Learn more about the programme here.
Over 20 months, you’ll combine day-to-day experience in your role with structured training delivered by expert tutors at Tiro. Our blended learning approach includes a mix of online sessions, in-person training, and hands-on support, alongside guidance from a dedicated mentor in the workplace.
You’ll spend at least 6 hours per week on off-the-job training, including virtual learning, practical activities, and applied assignments.
What your training will look like:You’ll follow a structured programme combining live sessions, online learning, and hands-on workplace training to build your skills step by step.
What could your future look like?
This apprenticeship will help you build the skills and experience needed to start your career as a materials technician and progress within the industry.
Through hands-on training, you’ll develop the competence and confidence to carry out laboratory testing and take on increasing responsibility in your role. This programme can also lead to professional recognition, such as becoming a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).
You’ll gain experience that’s valued across a wide range of technical and scientific roles, opening up opportunities to grow and specialise in your chosen field.
If you choose to continue your development, you may also have the opportunity to progress onto higher-level qualifications, such as degree apprenticeships in Materials or Chemistry.
Eligibility
While we never want to hinder your job application process with obstacles, there are some minimum requirements you’ll need to meet in order to do an apprenticeship, these are rules set by the UK Government.
As a training provider, we are committed to ensuring that our apprenticeship programs deliver significant new knowledge and skills. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that the program will provide learning and experiences beyond their current qualifications and professional expertise.
If you already hold a Level 3, degree or equivalent higher-level qualification in a closely related field, or possess substantial relevant experience, you may not be eligible for apprenticeship funding, as these programmes are designed for individuals who require upskilling or reskilling in their chosen career pathway.
You’ll need to be over 16, not in full time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK.
If you don’t quite meet these minimum requirements yet, let us know you’re interested here and we’ll get in touch to discuss this further with you.
We’re Tiro (pronounced Tea-ro — white, two sugars).
In Latin, it means novice, recruit, apprentice, beginner, and soldier — the perfect name for a company that’s been helping fearless apprentices join ambitious businesses since 2005.
We believe great apprenticeships help everyone. There are remarkable apprentices out there just waiting to be found, and fantastic employers waiting to nurture them.
We’re proud to help connect the two — supporting industries that make, test, and innovate; from polymer manufacturing and materials science to sustainable engineering and advanced technology.
At Tiro, we make great things happen for people.
And that starts with you.